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CHECHEN PRESIDENT IS OPPOSED TO TALKS WITH TERRORISTS

RIA Novosti

STRASBOURG, March 21 (RIA Novosti) - Chechen President Alu Alkhanov is opposed to the idea of negotiating with terrorists.

"I do not agree with those who say that we must toe the mark and hold talks with terrorists," President Alkhanov told Russian journalists after the first part of the roundtable on Chechnya at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).

Alkhanov said terrorism was inhumane.

The Chechen president believes the policy of double standards with respect to those involved in terrorist attacks is unacceptable. "This is the Chechen people's opinion that must be respected," said the president.

Konstantin Kosachev, who is leading the Russian delegation at the PACE meeting, said PACE had invited Chechen separatists to attend the meeting, but they rejected the invitation.

"Who are known as irreconcilable separatists were sent a relevant PACE invitation," said Kosachev.

The MP added they had rejected the invitation defiantly. Separatists published letters to the PACE leaders condemning the meeting and saying it was pointless without irreconcilable separatists.

Kosachev said the Russian delegation was prepared for a broad dialogue at the roundtable meeting.